Dyeing machine



2 Sheets- 1 6 J 5 x101} i QM J. M. WOOD DYEING MACHINE Filed Mayll, 1925v Feb. 21, 1928.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o o o o o o O o o o o o o o o o o o 0 my 0 a o o o o 0on O o O 0 0 0 on Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

' UNITED STATES 1,659,967 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. WOOD, OF PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNORTO FRANKLIN PROCESSCOMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

DYEING MACHINE.

This invention relates to apparatus for dyeing and similarly treatingfibrous materials and particularly to machines for dyeing or treatingraw stock such as wool, worsted,

mohair and other fibers.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine in which thematerial can be more easily handled in loading and unloading the I kieror other vessel in which the fibers are 19 dyed or treated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine in which thedye-liquor or other liquid employed for treating the material can bemore completely drained from 35 the material before it is removed fromthe kier.

Another object of the-invention is to provide means within the kier orother vessel for preventing suction or a vacuum in the bottom of thevessel when the mass of material is lifted out therefrom.

Further objects of the invention are to render the dyeing machine moreconvenient to operate and more efiicient in use as will be hereinaftermore fully set forth.

The following specification describes a preferred method of carrying outthe invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawirigs. In thedrawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a cylindrical kier ordyeing-vessel showing the present invention applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional- View of the central standpipeabout which the material is packed in the kier, also illustrating infragmentary view a portion of the bottom grid or carrier and itsdrain-plate on which the material is held to be raised out of the kier;

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the upper end of the standpipe showing theimproved valve-operating device as applied to use therewith; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the bottom grid on the standpipeand its drainplate.

The invention in general consists in a dyeing-vessel or kier having asuitable inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom for circulatingthe treating-fluid therethrough, a holder or carrier for supporting themass of material within the kier to adapt it to be lifted out therefrom,a valve in the carrier opening to the atmosphere, and means operated bythe lifting of the carrier to open the valve to prevent a vacuum in thebottom of the kier. 1

My invention may be applied to use with any usual form of dyeing-vesseland is herein illustrated in connection with a cylindrical kier or vat2. The kier 2 is usually constructed with wooden staves 3 rising from acircular base or bottom 4, and bound together by suitable metal-hoops 5.At the lower ends of the staves 3 is a metal ring or annulus 6, andreaching upwardly therefrom are vertical rods 8 clamped to an upper ring9 which is bolted to the staves 3 at 10. The upper ring 9 is providedwith ears 11 between which are pivoted bolts 12 adapted to clamp down acover 13 which rests on the top of the kier. The cover 13 has an annularangle-iron 14 provided with slotted openmgs for receiving the bolts 12.Suitable nuts 15 on the ends of the bolts 12 screw down against theangle-iron 14 to clamp the cover tightly against the top of'the kier.The cover 13 has a swiveled hook or shackle 16 by means of which it maybe raised with a rope or chain operated from a suitable tackle. is awooden framework 17 comprising hori zontal strips 18 secured to the endsof vertical struts 19.

On the under side of the cover 13 v Entering the upper part of the kier2 I through its side is a feed-pipe 20 which leads from anexpansion-tank not herein shown. The bottom 4 of the kier is providedwith a central orifice 21, to which is connected an exhaust-pipe 22leading back to the expansion-tank through suitable valves or otherconnections. A circulating pump is usually employed to force thedyeliquor or other fiuid from the expansiontank through the inlet-pipe20 into the kier 2 under pressure, while exhausting it therefrom throughthe pipe 22.

Adapted to rest on the bottom of the kier 2 in raised relationthereabove is a circular grid or spider-member 25, shown in detail inFigs. 2 and 4. The grid 25 is provided at its center with a circularflanged hub or plate 26 formed with feet 27 which rest on a metal plateor ring 28 let into the floor or bottom 4 of the kier 2. Radiating fromthe central plate or hub 26 are arms 29 supporting an outer circular rimor annulus 31. The arms 29 and rim 31 are ribbed on their under sides tostrengthen and stifl'en the grid, and the rim 31 is provided with spacedlugs or feet 32 which rest on a circular track provide a carrier tosupport the material to be treated in raised relation above the bottomof the kier 2. The plate 30 is pro vided with suitable holes 24 throughwhich the treating fluid drains into the bottom of the kier. I

The central plate or hub 26' of the grid is formed with an upstandingcircular flange 34 providing a socket for the vertical standpipe 35which is secured therein by suitable means, such as .a set-screw 36. Inthe center of the hub26 is an opening 38 adapted to drain the standpipethrough the central orifice 21 in the bottom of the kier.

The standpipe 35, shown in detail in Fig. 2, rises nearly to the rtop ofthe kier 2 and is provided with perforations 39 in its sides. At itslower end is a valve-seat comprising a circular plate 40 held in thesocket of the hub 26 of the'spjder. 25 and provided with a centralopening 41 registering with the opening 38 in the hub. The opening 41 isI adapted to be closed by a stopper 42 having its under side beveled at43 to engage the edge of the opening. The stopper 42 is se cured to thereduced end 44 of a vertical rod 45 by means of a nut 46. On the sidesin a %olt 52 which has its ends engaging slots 53 in the sides of thestandpipe 35. The bolt 52 carries a sleeve or bushing 54 extendingbetween the opposite ends of a U-shaped -shackle 55 which is swiveled onthe ends of the bolt. The slots 53 are elongated to provide for verticalmovement of the bolt 52 therein and the endsof the bolt are pro videdwith flanges or washers 56 secured thereto and overlapping the sides ofthe slots to prevent accidental removal of the bolt therefrom.

A pressure-plate or screen 60 is adapted to slide downwardly 0n thestandpipe 35 to compress tliematerial in the kier when the cover isplaced over its top. The pressure plate 60 comprises a wheel-likeframework having acentral hub 61 and radial arms 62 supporting an outerannular rim 63. On the under side of the framework is a screen 64adapted to rest a ainst the material disposed around the stan pipe inthe kier.

-with a tackle or other suitable hoist.

Having now described the construction and arrangement of my improvedapparatus in detail, its method of operation will-next be explained: Toload the machine the stand,

pipe 35 and its attached grid or spider 25 are first lowered into thekier 2 until the 1 feet 27 and 32 on the grid rest on the plate 28 andtrack 33. The material to be treated is next deposited on thedrain-plate '30 and packed around the standpipe 35 to fill the.

interior of the kier substantially to the top of the standpipe. Thecompression-member or screen 60 is then placed on top of the mass "offibers M and the cover 13 lowered into place to cause. its .framework 17to bear down against the top of the screen. The

weight of the cover will cause the screen'60 flow down through thepressure-plate or screen 60 and be forced through the material A throughthe kier by admitting it at the top through the feed-pipe 20. The fluidwill under the pressure from the circulating pump. When the standpipe 35is lowered into the kier 2 the stopper'or closure 42 will seat itselfagainst the valve-ring 40 through the action of gravity to close theorifice 41, and consequently the fluid will be prevented from escapingthrough the standpipe to the outlet or exhaust-pipe 22. Therefore, thefluid forced into the upper part of the kier under pressure will becaused to seep down through the material massed around the' standpipeand will drain off through the openings in the drain-plate 30 which isheld on the grid 25 in raised position above the bottom of the kier. Thetreating fluid will therefore have a free passage beneath thedrain-plate 30 to exhaust from the kier through the pipe 22, whence itpasses back to the expansion-tank and is thence again circulated throughthe kier.

After the fibers have been treated as de-' scribed with the dye-liquoror other fluid the material is usually washed by circulating waterthrough the kier in the same manner. When the washing process iscompleted the cover 13 is lifted off from the top of' the kier byreleasing its bolts 12 and raisin hit e whole mass of treated materialis then removed from the kier on its carrier bylifting out the standpipe35 and its attached spider 25 carrying the drain-plate 30; thisoperation being accomplished by fastenin a rope or chain tothe shackle55 and emp oying a hoist or tackle to raise the standpipe and itscarrier out of the kier. As the rope or chain starts to raise thestandpipe 35 the pull on the shackle 55 will cause its bolt 52 to slideupwardly in the slots 53, whereby to lift the valve-rod 45longitudinally of the standpipe 35. The lifting of the rod 45 unseatsthe closure or stopper 42 from the valveopening 41, whereupon any fluidin the standpipe 35 will be released to drain out of the kier throughthe exhaust-pipe 22. The

opening of the valve 41 also permits any surplus fiuid remaining in thefibers massed around the standpipe to drain off through the perforationstherein while the whole mass of material is being raised out of thekier. The main purpose of the automatically operated valve, however, isto prevent suction in the bottom of the kier, or, in other words, tobreak the vacuum which ordinarily would be formed when the mass ofmaterial is slid upwardly on the interior of the kier. That is to say,the damp mass of fibers which are compacted closely around the standpipe35 and compressed against the inner Walls of thekier would normally actas a suction plunger to create a vacuum in the bottom of the kier whenthe standpipe and its spider are raised therein; it being understoodthat the valve or valves connected with the exhaust-pipe 22 are closedwhen the kier is being unloaded. lVithout the improved arrangementherein described the suction created by the lifting of the mass ofmaterial from the kier would ordinarily be so great as to place unduestrain on the standpipe and its attached grid or carrier, whileentailing more labor in raising the batch and further hinderingexpeditious unloading of the kier.

With the present improvement, immediately the hoisting rope or chainstarts to raise the standpipe 35 and its grid 25 the closure 42 isunseated from the valve 41 so that not even a partial vacuum will beformed in the kier, and hence no undue resistance is encountered whileraising the relatively heavy mass of material out of the kier. Moreover,the opening of the valve provides for the complete drainage of theliquid from the mass of material surrounding the standpipe and thereforeassists in extracting the liquid from the whole batch during the removalof the material from the kier.

It is also to be observed that the closing of the valve 41 in thestandpipe 35 is automatic so that there is no danger of the machinebeing improperly operated That is to say, when the material is loweredinto the kier on the carrier or grid 25 the release of the hoistingshackle 55 causes the rod 45 to drop, whereby to automatically close thevalve 41 without attention on the part of the operator. This insuresthat the valve will not be left open through carelessness or negligence.It will thus be seen that the present improvement provides aparticularly simple and efiicient device for the purpose specified andmakes for greater convenience.

and facility in removing the treated batch of material from the kier.

While I have herein shown a preferred embodiment of the improvedapparatus, it is to be understood that various modifications may be madein the structure and arrangement of the machine without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myselfto the exact construction and arrangement herein shown and described, Iclaim:

l. In an apparatus for dyeing or otherwise treating fibrous materials,the combination of a closed vessel, a carrier for holding the materialwithin the vessel, a valve opening to the atmosphere, and automaticallyoperable means for opening the valve to prevent a vacuum forming in thebottom of the vessel when the material is lifted out on the carrier. r

2. In an apparatus for dyeing or otherwise treating fibrous materials,the combination of a closed vessel, a carrier for holding the materialwithin the vessel, a valve communicating with the atmosphere, and meansoperable upon the raising of the carrier to open the valve to prevent avacuum forming in the bottom of the vessel when the material is liftedout therefrom.

In an apparatus for dyeing or otherwise treating fibrous materials, thecombination of a vessel, means for supporting the mass of material abovethe bottom of the vessel, a perforated standpipe about which thematerial is massed, a valve in said standpipe, and means operableautomatically upon the lifting of the material out'of the vessel to openthe valve to prevent suction at the bottom of the vessel. 1

4. In an apparatus for dyeing ,or otherwise treating fibrous materials,the combina- 11o tionof a kier having an inlet at its top and an outletin its bottom for circulating the fluid therethrough, a carrier forsupporting the mass of material above the bottom of the kier, aperforated standpipe extending upwardly from the carrier through thematerial supported thereon, a valve at the bottom of the standpipe, andmeans operable upon the raising of the carrier to open. the valve. Y 5.In an apparatus for dyeing or otherwise treating fibrous materials, thecombination of a vessel having inlet and outlet passages, a perforatedstandpipe, aperforated carrier on the standpipe for supporting thematerial above the bottom of the vessel, a valve at the bottom of thestandpipe communicating with the exhaust passage in the vessel, andmeans operable automatically upon the raising of the standpipe to openthe valve to relieve the vacuum when the material is lifted out of thevessel. p

6. In an apparatus ofthe type specified, the combination of a kier, acarrier for the material to be treated comprising a grid, a perforatedstandpipe rising from the grid, a valve at the bottom of the standpipeopening beneath the grid, a closure for closing said valve, and meansfor unseating the closure from the valve when thecarrier is raised inthe kier.

7 In an apparatus of the type specified, the combination of a kier, agrid'ada ted to rest on the bottom of the kier, a per orated platesupported on the grid to hold the material raised above the bottom ofthe kier, a

- valve to prevent suction beneath the carrier.

9. In an apparatus of the type specified, the combination of a kier, acarrier for the material adapted to be supported inraised position abovethe bottom of the kier, a perforated standpipe extending upwardly fromthe carrier,v a valve at the bottom of the standpipe opening through thecarrier, a

closure for. closing the valve, means at the top of the standpipe forraisin the carrier I out of the kier, and means opera le from theraising-means to open the valve in the standpipe when the carrier islifted away from the bottom of the kier.

10. In an apparatus of the type specified,

, the combination of a kier, a carrier for supporting the material abovethe bottom of the kier, a perforated standpipe projecting 'upwardly fromthe carrier, a valve at the bottom. of the standpipe, a shackle at thetop of; the standpipe, and means connecting the shackle to open thevalve when thestand pipe is raised to lift the carrier in the kier.

11. In an apparatus of the type specified,

the combination of a carrier for sup o'rting fibrous material, a centralperforat standpipe projecting upwardly from the carrier, a valve at thebottom of the standpipe, a

closure for closing said valve, a shackle connected to the standpipe toraise the latter and adapted to play up and down thereon, and meansconnecting said shackle to the valve-closure to unseat the latter whenthe shackle is operated to lift the standpipe and carrier.

12. In an apparatus of the type specified, the combination of a carrierfor the material, a perforated standpipe projecting upwardly from saidcarrier, a valve at the bottom of the standpipe, a closure for saidvalve, a bolt slidable in slots at the top of the standpipe, a shacklecarried by said bolt, and a rod connecting the bolt with thevalveclosure to adapt it to unseat the latter when the shackle is raisedto lift the carrier and its standpipe.

13. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a grid havinga central orifice,a perforated standpipe surrounding the orifice andprojecting upwardly therefrom, a valve in said orifice, a closureseating against the valve, means at the top of the standpipe for liftingthe grid, and means connecting said lifting-means to raise thevalve-closure off from its seat.

' 14. In an apparatus of the type specified, the combination of aspider, a perforated plate supported on said spider, a perforatedstandpipe rising from the center of the spider, a valve at the bottom ofthe standpipe opening through the spider, a closure for closing saidvalve, a shackle connected to the top of thestandpipe and slidable withrespect thereto, and a rod connecting said shackle to the valve-closureand adapted to.

raise the latter off its seat. when the shackle is operated to lift thespider.

15.. In an apparatus of the type specified,

1 the combination of a kier, a spider having,

feet restingon the bottom of the kier, aperforat-ed plate supported onthe spider to receive the material to be treated in the kier, aperforated standpipe at the center of the-spider, a valve att e bottomof the standpipe opening through the spider, means at the top of thestandpipe for raising the spider, and means connecting the raisingmeansto open the valve when the spider is lifted off from the bottom of thekier.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN M. WOOD.

